MSc in Development Economics
In
contemporary times, the need to develop
high-performing human capital for the 21st century is not simply evident but
paramount for emerging economies like Africa. The University therefore
recognizes the need to contribute towards the rapid development of the Ghanaian
economy for enhanced productivity, efficiency and effectiveness. The MSc Development Economics programme is
intended to equip students who aspire to work in public sector organizations, private
sector firms and international organizations with contemporary econometric
tools. The advanced and technically rigorous nature of the programme also
serves as an excellent foundation for PhD programmes and other research-focused
roles. The programme is to provide current skills, knowledge, and
understanding of development economics in nation building and growth. It offers a rich and diverse foundation for managing in a
global economy. Each course within the program challenges students to
critically assess traditional theories of economics and explores the new
dimensions created by globalization and economic challenges.
Programmes Aims
The Programme seeks to cultivate the
analytical and critical skills relevant to economic development, in particular
those needed to assess alternative approaches to policy. It provides the
rigorous quantitative training that development work now requires, helping
participants to develop the ability to access, process and interpret a variety
of economic data. It aims to provide the research tools and approaches needed
for those who wish to proceed to doctoral research in development economics.
Program Objectives
The Master
of Science Programme objectives are to:
· Equip students with the essential knowledge and
skills involved in the practice of economic policies and national development
· Develop students systemic understanding of National and
organizational setups, and how they economically operate
· Enable students to analyze Countries
developmental process
· Enhance students ability to examine Foreign
Direct Investment on Economic Development
· Empower students to assess Nations global competitive
environment and strategic choices
· Develop students competencies to measure the
economic performance of Countries
· Enable students to advise Government on economic
policies for effective growth and sustainable development
· Develop participants ability to critically
analyze economic condition of a country for investment purposes
· Empower participants to develop business global
strategies for competitive advantage in foreign markets
Programme Learning Outcomes
At the end of the programme, it is envision that participants should be
able to:
· Develop a systemic understanding of National and
organizational setups, and how they economically operate
· Analyze Countries developmental process
· Examine Foreign Direct Investment on Economic
Development
· Assess Nations global competitive environment
and strategic choices
· Measure the economic performance of Countries
· Advise Government on economic policies for
effective growth and sustainable development
· Critically analyze economic condition of a
country for investment purposes
. Develop business global strategies for
competitive advantage in foreign markets.
Course Title | Credit Hours |
Core Stage | |
· MCC 601 Marketing Management | 3 |
· MCC 604 Quantitative Methods for Decision Making | 4 |
· MCC 605 Business Law | 3 |
· MCC 607 Accounting for Decision Making | 3 |
· MCC 602 Managerial Economics | 3 |
· MCC 603 Research Methods | 4 |
· MCC 608 Organizational Behavior | 3 |
· MCC 609 Strategic Management | 3 |
|
|
Specialization Stage | |
· Systemic Thought | 4 |
· Small Business Management and Family-Owned Businesses | 4 |
· Strategic Development for Competitive Advantage | 4 |
· Business Negotiations and Transformative Business Planning | 4 |
Thesis Stage | 12 ECTS |
Capstone Project | Students engage in Capstone Project research and preparing paper under guidance of Academic Mentor; Approval by Academic Review Board |
Oral Defense | Students defend Capstone Project at Oral Defense; Approval by Oral Defense Committee |
Specialization Course Descriptions:
Course Name | Course Descriptions |
Systemic Thought | This course develops students’ ability to focus their analytical, emotional, and systemic intelligence in order to develop an empowering framework needed in the entrepreneurial (external and internal) environment. It enables learners to access, with consistency, innovation from within themselves and their environment. Learners learn to see entrepreneurial opportunities that others do not, in both new enterprises and within innovation-seeking established organizations. |
Small Business Management | Small business is the predominant business structure across the world. It also is the structure most prone to business failure. Family-owned businesses are a subset of small businesses. They experience an entirely different set of dynamics that must be managed and positioned to achieve maximum results. This course helps learners identify skillsets needed most for success in these environments. It also cultivates their innovative potential and ability to recognize potential benefits in their decision-making. Adaptation of traditional management principles is applied to the small business environment as the core foundation of this course. |
Small Business Strategy | In this course, learners explore both established and emerging approaches in external and internal company/marketplace analyses that promote strategies to achieve competitive advantage. The course also develops, from multiple perspectives, strategic creation processes that leverage innovative processes. |
Negotiations and Business Planning | This multi-layered course helps learners develop empowering practices that apply social capital to business negotiations with respect to dynamics within the conduct of negotiations and the importance to an acceptance of innovative proposals. The learner is then challenged to channel these skills in planning business operations which maximize opportunities for success. This process involves the crafting of a business plan for a new enterprise, or the reconstruction of existing business processes in an existing business/nonprofit/governmental operation. |
Students will be required to score at least Grade ‘B’ (50%) of all registered courses. However, students are required to obtain a minimum of 60 credit passes before graduation.
Grade | Marks (%) | Interpretation | Grade Point |
A | 80 -100 | Excellent | 4.00 |
A-
| 70 - 79 | Very Good | 3.50 |
B+ | 60 - 69 | Good | 3.00 |
B
| 50 - 59 | Credit
| 2.50 |
C
| 40 - 49 | Marginal Pass | 1.50 |
D
| 30 - 39 | Fail | 1.00 |
F | 0 - 29 | Fail | 0.50 |
Z | | Disqualified | |
IC | | Incomplete | |
Grades A, A-, B+, and B constitutes pass grades.
Grades C, D, F, and Z constitutes failure grades.
Students are required to obtain a minimum of 60 credit hours of passed grades. However, 8 credit hours of marginal passes (grade C) in addition to 60 credit passes will be acceptable for graduation.
Students will therefore be required to retake relevant number of courses in which they obtained marginal passes, and failed grades in order to meet the graduate requirement.